A new video highlights the ways UF Law is growing and improving despite economic challenges. New facilities, elite speakers, improved student services, conferences and endowed chairs and professorships mean a stronger Levin College of Law.

LIC Notes: Florida Land Use Case before U.S. Supreme Court

On Tuesday, Jan. 15, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in the Florida land use case of Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Mgmt. Dist., Docket No. 11-1447. Koontz applied for permits to develop 3.7 acres of his Orange County property in 1994 but was denied when he refused to improve additional wetlands that he owned in exchange for the permits. The questions presented in the case were:

Whether the government can be held liable for a taking when it refuses to issue a land-use permit on the sole basis that the permit applicant did not accede to a permit condition that, if applied, would violate the essential nexus and rough proportionality tests set out in Nollan v. California Coastal Commission, 483 U.S. 825 (1987), and Dolan v. City of Tigard, 512 U.S. 374 (1994); and

Whether the nexus and proportionality tests set out in Nollan and Dolan apply to a land-use exaction that takes the form of a government demand that a permit applicant dedicate money, services, labor, or any other type of personal property to a public use.

The full briefs of the petitioner and the respondent are available on the ABA website.

Of special note is the work of Professor Mark Fenster, Cone, Wagner, Nugent, Hazouri & Roth Tort Professor of Law at the Levin College of Law, in the preparation of the amicus curiae brief on behalf of the National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, Council of State Governments, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, International City/County Management Association, and International Municipal Lawyers Association in support of the respondent. Fenster was cited in the Orlando Sentinel article “U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in Central Florida land-development case” by Kevin Spear, which appeared on the newspaper’s website on Jan. 13. The article may be accessed here.

Costa Rica 2013 summer abroad informational meeting today at noon

Students with an interest in participating in UF Law’s 2013 Costa Rica program are encouraged to attend an informational meeting Tuesday at noon in HOL 382. Faculty and students from the 2011 and 2012 program will be on hand to answer questions and provide their perspective on the program. Pizza will be provided. Students who attended the fall informational meeting are also encouraged to attend.

The UF Law Costa Rica Program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning that includes skills training in a cross-cultural, practice-oriented environment. The program offers exposure to international and comparative law through the substantive lens of environmental law, water law and development policy, all from the unique perspective of Latin America and Costa Rica. Issue-oriented field trips and visits to legal institutions are a key component of the program. Students can receive up to 6 credits, and may be able to receive additional credits through summer externships.

Additional information including course descriptions, syllabi, field trips, photos and budgets, etc. can be found on the program website.

Learn about summer externships Wednesday

Students interested in applying for 2013 summer externship opportunities are encouraged to attend an informational meeting Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom (HOL 180).

The UF Law externship program offers students the opportunity to earn academic credit while working in a variety of legal settings. Externships are offered in Florida and throughout the United States and include positions in government agencies, state and federal courts, non-profit organizations and corporations. Externships are offered in areas such as family law, criminal law, health care, local government and higher education law, just to name a few. In this meeting, directors will discuss the program requirements, the application process, application deadlines, required documentation and much more.

Multicultural & Diversity Affairs showcases annual MLK celebration

Multicultural & Diversity Affairs is proud to showcase the annual University of Florida Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration 2013. UF celebrates King’s legacy and his commitment to social justice through a collaborative campus-wide celebration of educational programs, social events and service initiatives designed to empower participants to use their strengths, passions, and talents to better the lives of others and impact their community. This year’s celebration began Monday and goes through Thursday, Jan. 31. Visit www.UFMLK.org for more information.

Preemption — the subject of the 12th Annual Richard E. Nelson Symposium taking place Feb. 8 at the Hilton Conference Center in Gainesville — is a matter of concern to lawyers in the public and private sectors and to government officials at all levels. UF Law has assembled an outstanding group of national and state experts to examine the serious puzzles posed by federal and state preemption of local regulatory activity in five provocative areas: firearms, hydrofracking, immigration, renewable energy and agriculture. Clear guidance from state and federal courts is rare in this area, which means that lawyers struggle with locating the legally defensible “comfort zone” for state and local statutes, ordinances, permitting, and regulation.

Speakers are:

John R. Nolon, professor of law, Pace University School of Law
Michael O’Shea, professor of law, Oklahoma City University School of Law
Rick Su, Associate professor, SUNY Buffalo Law School
Hannah Wiseman, assistant professor, Florida State University College of Law
Michael Allan Wolf, Richard E. Nelson Chair in Local Government Law, University of Florida Levin College of Law

GreenLaw invites you to start the new year right by participating in the Eco-Run 5K Fun Run benefiting the 2013 Public Interest Environmental Conference (PIEC). Feel free to walk, run, or even ride your bike. The Eco-Run will take place this Saturday at 7:45 a.m. Register early for a discounted price at the Eco-Run Table in the courtyard Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by visiting the website. Advanced registration is $15 for JMBA and Running Club members, $20 for all others. Race day registration is $25.

Two students take home grand prize in CJC video advocacy competition

This past fall, the Criminal Justice Center and Criminal Law Association announced its first video advocacy competition and solicited creative video submissions from students that portrayed Fourth Amendment issues.

Marc Hernandez and Alex Gelep won the competition and the grand prize of $1,000, which they will split. Their video will be available as a link on CJC’s website soon. The prize money for this competition was donated by the Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Neiman, a Ft. Lauderdale White Collar and Tax Litigation attorney.

UF Law forging ahead

A new video highlights the ways UF Law is growing and improving despite economic challenges. New facilities, elite speakers, improved student services, conferences and endowed chairs and professorships mean a stronger Levin College of Law.

LIC Notes: CRS Summary of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012

RE: New CRS Report: The “Fiscal Cliff” and the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. Jan. 4, 2013

The Congressional Research Service has written a new report that summarizes the federal budget deficit and the American Taxpayer Relief Act, which became law Jan. 2, 2013. The report provides an overview of the fiscal policy issues that are covered by the new act as well as highlighting the major issues that Congress has yet to deal with. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42884.pdf

The official text of the American Taxpayer Relief Act may be found on Congress.Gov (PDF).

Learn about the UF Law summer program in France today

Interested in learning about the UF Law summer program in France? Attend an information session Monday at 1 p.m. in HOL 360. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Students studying in the UF Law France program benefit from a dual focus on comparative and international law. American and French professors examine various aspects of United States and French legal systems and European Union law in classes with U.S. and French students. Students also meet with members of the judiciary and the legal profession. In addition, the program allows you to live in and enjoy the rich French culture.

The first week of the five-week program will be spent in Paris, while the last four weeks will be at the University of Montpellier in Montpellier. Courses offered include European Business Law (Professors Claire M. Germain & Pierre Mousseron), International Sales Law (Professor George Dawson) and a third course yet to be announced. Enrollment is limited to 30 U.S. students. In addition, a number of students from the University of Montpellier enroll in one or more of the classes.

France Program dates: Monday, June 24, 2013, to Friday, July 26, 2013

Application deadline: March 15

Interested students may also visit the study abroad website or contact the program’s director, Professor Dawson, or Michelle Ocepek in the Office of Student Affairs.

South Africa 2013 study abroad program interest meeting Tuesday

On Tuesday learn about the South Africa study abroad program at noon in HOL 270. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Students in the South Africa study abroad program at the University of Cape Town benefit from a dual focus on comparative and international law. American and South African professors will draw upon their experiences in their respective systems to highlight the similarities and differences in the administration of justice in the United States and South Africa. Students will gain a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each system. This program, from June 10 – through approximately July 12, 2013, allows you to live in and enjoy a rich culture, while studying law amidst the historic legal, political and social changes occurring in South Africa.

This six-credit program includes Comparative Constitutional Law (2 credits, Professor Sharon Rush), The South African Legal System: From Apartheid to Transition to Nation-building (2 credits, UCT Professor Paleker), Crime, Human Rights and the International Criminal Court (1 credit, Professor Kenneth Nunn) and Comparative Alternative Dispute Resolution (1 credit, Associate Dean Rachel Inman). A number of students from the University of Cape Town enroll in Comparative Constitutional Law.

Questions may be directed to the program’s director Dean Inman and the director of student programs Michelle Ocepek at 273-0620.

Costa Rica 2013 summer abroad informational meeting Jan. 22

Students with an interest in participating in UF Law’s 2013 Costa Rica program are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 22, in HOL 382. Faculty and students from the 2011 and 2012 program will be on hand to answer questions and provide their perspective on the program. Pizza will be provided. Students who attended the fall informational meeting are also encouraged to attend.

The UF Law Costa Rica Program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning that includes skills training in a cross-cultural, practice-oriented environment. The program offers an exposure to international and comparative law through the substantive lens of environmental law, water law and development policy, all from the unique perspective of Latin America and Costa Rica. Issue-oriented field trips and visits to legal institutions are a key component of the program. Students can receive up to 6 credits, and may be able to receive additional credits through summer externships.

Additional information including course descriptions, syllabi, field trips, photos and budgets, etc. can be found on the program website.

Learn about summer externships Jan. 23

Students interested in applying for 2013 summer externship opportunities are encouraged to attend an informational meeting Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 5 p.m. in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom (HOL 180).

The UF Law externship program offers students the opportunity to earn academic credit while working in a variety of legal settings. Externships are offered in Florida and throughout the United States and include positions in government agencies, state and federal courts, non profit organizations and corporations. Externships are offered in areas such as family law, criminal law, health care, local government and higher education law, just to name a few. In this meeting, directors will discuss the program requirements, the application process, application deadlines, required documentation and much more.

Preemption — the subject of the 12th Annual Richard E. Nelson Symposium taking place Feb. 8 at the Hilton Conference Center in Gainesville — is a matter of concern to lawyers in the public and private sectors and to government officials at all levels. UF Law has assembled an outstanding group of national and state experts to examine the serious puzzles posed by federal and state preemption of local regulatory activity in five provocative areas: firearms, hydrofracking, immigration, renewable energy and agriculture. Clear guidance from state and federal courts is rare in this area, which means that lawyers struggle with locating the legally defensible “comfort zone” for state and local statutes, ordinances, permitting, and regulation.

Speakers are:

John R. Nolon, professor of law, Pace University School of Law
Michael O’Shea, professor of law, Oklahoma City University School of Law
Rick Su, Associate professor, SUNY Buffalo Law School
Hannah Wiseman, assistant professor, Florida State University College of Law
Michael Allan Wolf, Richard E. Nelson Chair in Local Government Law, University of Florida Levin College of Law